Marcus Aurelius Persecution

During the reign of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161–180 AD), Christian persecution intensified, though it was not directly ordered by the emperor. While Aurelius is often remembered as a philosopher-king, his reign saw the suppression of Christians in certain regions of the empire, partly due to political instability, external wars, natural disasters, and the belief that Christians were a threat to the social order. The Roman populace and local officials saw Christians as a deviant group who rejected the traditional gods, a rejection believed to anger the deities and cause disasters. Marcus Aurelius, who was a Stoic philosopher, held traditional Roman religious views and may have tolerated persecution out of a desire to maintain social harmony.

One of the most notable events of Christian persecution during his reign occurred in 177 AD in the city of Lyons (modern-day France). Lyons was an important urban center in Roman Gaul with a sizeable Christian community. As tensions between pagans and Christians rose, accusations of atheism, cannibalism, and immorality were leveled against the Christians, leading to widespread hatred and violence. The local Roman governor, influenced by the public outcry, authorized severe measures against the Christians.

The persecution in Lyons led to the martyrdom of a significant number of Christians, an event that became known as the Martyrs of Lyons. Among the most famous of the martyrs was a slave named Blandina, who endured extreme torture and displayed extraordinary resilience. Despite the brutality inflicted upon her, Blandina refused to renounce her faith and was eventually killed in the amphitheater. Another prominent figure, Bishop Pothinus, an elderly leader of the Christian community in Lyons, was also martyred after being beaten and imprisoned. His death was a significant blow to the early Christian church.

An account of these events was sent in a letter to the Christian communities of Asia Minor, detailing the courage and steadfastness of the Lyons martyrs.  Irenaeus of Lyons, who had been a hearer of Polycarp when he was young, was a presbyter in Lyons at the time.  According to Eusebius, while Irenaeus was yet a presbyter or elder, he was sent with a letter from members of the Church of Lyon awaiting martyrdom, to Pope Eleutherus, bishop of Rome (Hist. Eccl.,5.4).  The Letter to Pope Eleutherius was not merely a report on the persecutions but also an appeal for theological clarity and support in troubled times, emphasizing the importance of orthodoxy and unity in the face of external oppression, making it clear that the faith of the martyrs should serve as an inspiration to Christians everywhere. 

Another notable martyrdom during Marcus Aurelius’ reign is that of Justin Martyr in Rome. A philosopher and apologist, Justin was one of the most influential early Christian writers  According to Tatian (Address to the Greeks 19) and Eusebius (Church History IV 16.7–8), he disputed with the philosopher Crescens, who then had Justin Martyr denounced to the authorities. Justin was tried, along with six of his students, and was beheaded. The Martyrdom of Justin states:

The Prefect Rusticus says: Approach and sacrifice, all of you, to the gods. Justin says: No one in his right mind gives up piety for impiety. The Prefect Rusticus says: If you do not obey, you will be tortured without mercy. Justin replies: That is our desire, to be tortured for Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and so to be saved, for that will give us salvation and firm confidence at the more terrible universal tribunal of Our Lord and Saviour. And all the martyrs said: Do as you wish; for we are Christians, and we do not sacrifice to idols. The Prefect Rusticus read the sentence: Those who do not wish to sacrifice to the gods and to obey the emperor will be scourged and beheaded according to the laws. The holy martyrs glorifying God betook themselves to the customary place, where they were beheaded and consummated their martyrdom confessing their Saviour.

One of the last of the persecutions during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, took place in Numidia, in Northern Africa. The Scillitan Martyrs were a company of twelve North African Christians who were tried and executed in 180 AD under the proconsul Publius Vigellius Saturninus.  The names of the twelve Scillitan Martyrs were Speratus, Nartzalus, Cintinus, Veturius, Felix, Aquilinus, Laetantius, Januaria, Generosa, Vestia, Donata, and Secunda. The Acts of the Scillitan Martyrs is considered to be one of the earliest documents of the church of Africa.

Marcus Aurelius died later that same year, and persecution ceased sometime after the accession of his son Commodus.

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